Garment packing case



May 22, 1962 J. FIELD ETAL GARMENT PACKING CASE Filed July 17, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .w O T m w A I E /wwF IY /w/M FR ,w e o (w JH 9 9 W 7 May 22, 1962 Filed July 17, 1958 J. FIELD ETAL GARMENT PACKING CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HA F *11" ATTY.

United States Patent 3,035,688 Patented May 22, 1962 fice 3,035,688 GARMENT PACKING CASE Joe Field, 6336 N. Oakley Ave., and Harry Field, 5942 N. St. Louis Ave., both of Chicago, Ill. Filed July 17, 1958, Ser. No. 749,125 2 Claims. (Cl. 206-7) This invention relates to containers for the shipping and storage of hanger supported garments and the like, and has particular lreference to an improved multiple garment container assembly including an improved contrainer foldable out of a single blank of fibreboard or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved container for the shipping and storage of hanger supported garments without appreciable garrnent creasing or wrinkling, and wherein the container is readily and simply constructed by folding -from a single pre-cut and scored blank of corrugated fiberboard or the like.

It is another object of this invention lto provide for ready folding to form a container of box-like character, a novel blank of corrugated fiberboa-rd or like material, which is pre-cut and scored in a manner to define relatively hingedly connected wall or panel elements constituting container front, back and opposite side walls, and end flaps on the elements certain of which afiord the bottom closure means of :the container and others the top closure means, the pre-cut and scored blank further defining the panel element constituting the container front wall, such as to adapt a portion of the element for swinging movement relative to the remainder of the element, as to provide 'a front door for 'the container.

t is a still furt'ner object of this invention to afford a sturdy and relatively light weight fiberbo'ard container adapted to contain and support 'a plurality of hanger supported garments, wherein the container provides a relatively large lateral access opening for facilitating container insertion and removal of garments, and a closure for such opening having according to one embodiment of the invention, relatively foldable parts permitting folding of the closure in open condition, with projection of portions thereof beneath the container, whereby to locate -the closure in an ont-of-the-way position relative to the access opening.

A further object of this invention is to provide in an improved container of the aforesaid character, having side walls and foldable top closure elements, a hanger bar spanning the side walls and supported on the upper margins thereof, and a garment retainer insert element having a portion overlying the hanger bar and garment hanger hook ends seated on lthe bar, Wherein the hanger bar is disposed inwardly of the container below its upper end sufiiciently to locate the outer surface of the garment,

retainer -portion substantially in the plane of the upper side wall margins, whereby to permit seating of the container top closure elements against the upper side wall margins and the outer surface of the garment retainer portion, in the closed position of the closure elements.

lt is a still further object of the invention to provide a container of the character indicated, assembled by folding of a pre-cut and scored fibreboard blank and including a hanger bar applied in supported relation to the container and adapted for strengthening the assembled container, wherein the container is readily foldably collapsible upon removal of the hanger bar, as to facilitate container storage when not in use.

The foregoing and other objects and adVant-ages of this invention will become apparent from the following description of a few preferred embodiments `thereof, as is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a plan view of a one piece pre-cut and scored fiberboard blank according to one emhodiment of the invention, constituting the body of the presently improved container shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container as folded out of the blank of FIG. 1, showing the front access opening thereof and the closure element or door -therefor in an open condition, the view further illustrating a garment hanger support bar mounted on the container;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the container, as taken from line 3-3 in FIG. 2, but showing the container door and top closure fiaps in container closed positions, the view illustrating a separately formed garment retainer insert in effective position in the container rel-ative to hanger supported garments therein;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view of the container assembly, as viewed from line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a reduced perspective view of the garment retainer insert shown in section in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view in reduced size, of a one-piece pre-cut and scored fiberboard blank which enibodies a modi'fication of the form of blank shown in FIG. l; and

PIG. 7 is a perspeotive view of the container as folded out of the bla-nl; of FiG. 6, showing the access door in an open position, and a garment hanger support bar mounted on the container.

With reference to the em-bodiment according to FIGS. l to 5, and referring first to FlG. 1, illustrated in plan is a single blank of suitable relatively heavy corrugated fiber- -board or the like.

uration, as in the present example the configuration shown in FIG. 2, affording a generally rectangular and. vertically elongate tubular body which here is approxi-v mately square in horizontal section although it may be of rectangular section in any desired proportion. The fiberboard blank as viewe-d in FIG. 1, comprises a single or one piece sheet which is -scored along two parallel longitudinal primary score lines 10 and 11, having a predetermined desired transverse spacing `and defining respectively, the top and bottom margins of the container walls. Longitudinally spaced, parallel transverse scoring along score lines 14, 15, and 16 normal to and intersecting score lines 10 and 11, define therewith (left to right) a container side wall 18, 'back wall w, opposite side wall 20.

and a projecting flange 21 on the latter. A't the left of side wall 18 and between score lines 10 and 11, is the container front wall 24 which is separated from side wall 18 by transverse cut or recess 25 paralle with score lines 14-16 and of predetermined desired length in extension from the longitudinal score line 16, such length prefera-.

bly being appreciably greater .than half the transverse (Vertical) extent of the front wall, as shown. Completing the definition of front Wall 24 relative to the adjacen't side 'Wall 18, is |the transverse scoring along score line Z between the lower termnus of cut 25 and the longitudinal score line 11.

The lower marginal portion of the blank below longi-` tudinal score line 11, is marginally cut as shown, and is provided with transverse cuts or recesses 28, 29 and 30 intersecting score line 11 and aligned respectively, with score lines 26, 14 and 15. Such formation thereby defines `front wall bottom flap 32, which preferably has a dimension in the transverse direction (PIG. 1) approximately one half the horizontal depth of the ultimate container (PIG. 2), a bottom fiap 33 on side wall 18, bottom fiap 34 on back wall 19 and co-rresponding to the front W-all bottom flap 32, and bottom flap 35 on side wall 24). in similar manner, the upper marginal portion of the blank above longitudinal score line 1h, is margiually cut and provided with the recesses 38, 39 and 453, defining front and back wall top flaps 42 and 43 respectively, each The blank 'is cut and scored accord-v ing to predetermined design, such as to facilitate foldingv thereof into carton or container form of desired config-y like the corrcsponding bottom fiaps 32 and 31%, and like top fiaps 44 and 45 respectively on side walls 18 and 20. The longitudinal score lines and 11 are in each instance parallel With the adjacent longitudinal edge of the blank fibre board sheet and spaced therefrom in each instancc en amount approximately half of the width of the front or back walls 24 and 19 respectively. Completing blank ormation, the front wall 24 is provided with scoring along a longitudinal score line 47 parallel with score line 11 therebelow and extending to intersection With the junc- `vtion 48 of transverse recess 25 and score line 2-5, and further scoring along a longitudinal score line 49 parallel to and above score line 47, extending to the transverse recess 25. Thus, the front wall comprises the lower section or panel 50 integral at one side with side wall 18 over score line 26, -and a front door portion 52 (to be noted in connection with subsequent description of PIG. 2) having lower section or panel 53 and upper section or panel 54 defined by the score line 4-9. lmportantly to the present invention and for a purpose heroinafter to appear, the transverse spacing of score line 49 from score line 47 is substantially the same as the transverse spacing of score line 47 from the score line 11 therebelow. Consequently the Sections or panels 50 and 53 correspond in shape and area, such that they have approximately the same depth or transverse (Vertical) dimension as viewed in FlG. l.

The bl-ank as thus provided is conditioned by the several recesses and the scoring along the indicated score lines, for relative folding displacements of its wall and fiap, portions to forrn a container body of generally boxlike form, as shown in FIG. 2 and the detail views of PIGS. 3 and 4. The resulting container, as yappears in FIG. 2, includes the opposite side walls 18 and 20, back wall 19, and 'bottom closure indicated 'at 56 which is formed by the bottom flaps 32 and 34 folded into relative abutting or almost abutting positions and overlapped by the folded fiaps 32 and 35 suitably secured thereto in closed condition. The fiange 21 on side wall 20 is inturned toward the opposite side wall, while the free margin 57 of front wall section or panel 50 is lapped with the fiange 21 and secured thereto, as by suitable staples 58. The side walls 18 and 20 define with panel 50 a front opening 69 giving access to the container interior, the panel 50 thus constituting a front sill section rclative to the opening.

Movable to and from closing relation to the opening 60 is the heretofore indicated doo-r portion 52. which is hingedly integral with sill section 50 over the scoring along score line 47, such score line lbeing horizontal and extending transversely of the door and sill in the formed container. The door portion further, is of sectional character as hereinbefore noted, providing the lower section or panel 53 and the upper section or panel 54 hingedly integral with the lower section scoring along horizontal score line 49 which parallels score line 47. Moreover, on the upper door section 54 is the front wall top flap 42 hingedly integral therewith over the scoring along that portion of score line 10 (FIG. l) applicable to such fiap and door section. As shown in FiG. 2, the door is in a part open condition, attained by relative folding of its Sections forwardly of sill 50 and with the top fiap 42 extended beneath the container bottom closure 56. However and constituting an important feature of the present invention, the door is here adapted for folding displacement to a full-open, out-of-the-way position. Such adaptation is attained by providing the lower door section 53 vand the sill section 50 to have approximately the same depth (as herebefore indicated in the description of the blank shown in FlG. l). Thus, and upon tipping or rocking of the container backwardly along the bottom ledge of back wall 19 as a pivot, the door may be readily foldably displaced to project the top fiap 42 and upper door section 54 beneath the container bottom closure 56, to an extent such as to bring the lower door section 53 into external, relatively close overlying relation to the sill `section 50. Upon return of the container to normal upright position, the door will be thereby retained in such out-of-the-way open condition, hence entirely clear of any interference with close approach to the front opening 60 by the user of the container in applying or removing garrnents relative to the container interior. When it is desired to close the door, the container is rocked backwardly to free the underlying door portions, and held momentarily in such rocked position until the door is displaced forwardly to clear such door portions from under the container. Whereupon the door may be brought upwardly over the opening 60, to a substantially coplanar relation of its sections 53 and 54 with the sill section 50, and with the right hand margins (FlG. 2) of Sections 53 and 54 against the side wall flange 21. Flange 21 thus serves as a door stop, to determine the closed position of the door Sections.

The top flaps 44 and 45 of the container side walls 18 and 20, respectively, are inturned such that each lies against the inside surface of its wall to afford a double thickness side wall top marginal portion having a rectilinear top edge 61. The side walls are thus materially strengthened in the top portions thereof to provide for the support thereon of a garment hanger mounting device or bar unit 62 now to be described.

Bar unit 62 comprises a rigid member or bar 64 which may be of suitable metal and preferably of channel shape in section (FlG. 3), providing a rectilinear top edge 65 for engagernent by the hook ends of garment hangers. One such hanger is shown in Outline at 66 in FlG. 3, supporting a garment indicated at 63 and having its hook end 69 engaged over the top edge of bar 64. Suitably welded to the ends of bar 64 are bracket members 70 each of inverted U-shape in transverse section, as such is indicated in the sectional detail view of FIG.'4, and each of which includes a pair of outward'ly pushed tongues 71 (leaving openings 71') that are welded to the inner surfaces of the fianges of the bar 64. The overall length of the bar unit is predetermined with regard to the spacing of the container side walls to which it is to be applied, so that the bar 64 will span the side walls with the brackets 70 seated in embracing relation to the side wall top portions and bearing against the side wall top edges 61. Such bar unit 62 which is readily reniovable from the container, is substantially centered on the side walls and not only affords the mounting support for a -plurality of garment hangers, but serves in addition, to hold and strengthen the container in its box form. The latter function of the bar unit is facilitated by providing the brackets 70 such that each has a relatively large seating contact area with its associated side wall, the large contact area particularly over the side wall top edge 61, further effecting a desirable distribution of the hanger bar load over the side walls. lrnportantly, also, and for a puipose presently to appear, the bar 64 is structurally related to its brackets 70 so that when the latter are fully seated on the container side walls, as shown in FIG. 2, the top edge 65 of the bar will be substantially uniformly spaced to a predeterrnined extent, inwardly of the container from the plane of the container side wall top edges 61. This particular form of bar construction is illustrated more fully in FG. 6 of our copending application, Serial No. 544,774, filed November 3, 1955, now Patent No. 3,003,- 617, issued October 10, 1961.

Given the assembled container and hanger bar as shown in FIG. 2, with the front door thereof folded from the part open condition shown to its heretofore described full open, out-of-the-way condition, hanger supported garments, such as suits, dresses, etc., then may be placed in the container with the hanger hook ends on the bar 64. When the desired number of garments, within or up to the capacity of the given container, has been so hung therein and adjusted so that the garments hang properly without crease or wrinkle producing interference between adjacent garrnents, the container then may be closed and sealed as for shipping or storage. Container closure is here effected in connection with the insertion and placement of a separate garment retainer insert, as will be now descrihed.

The above mentioned garment retainer insert is a separate member, as illustrated in the perspective view of PIG. 5 and shown in eifective position in FIG. 3. It comprises a single piece of corrugated fiberboard or the like, shaped as by folding out of a rectangular scored fiberboard blank of predetermined size or dimensions. The folded insert, indicated at 72, provides a central portion 73 of inverted U-shape in transverse section (PIG. 3) and having a length substantially equal to the length of the hanger bar 64 and presenting a rectilinear top surface or edge 74. Extending divergently from the legs of the central portion 73 are like wall or panel elements 76 and 77 which terminate, respectively, in generally upstanding, like side walls or panels 78 and 8G. Side panel 78 includes an inturned marginal lip S1, while the other side panel 39 has a similar inturned lip 82. The insert formed as described, is entered in the upper zone of the container to have its central poition 73 in ernbracing relation to the hanger bar 64 and in contact with the hanger hook ends 69 thercon, and to locate its panel elements 76 and 77 in relatively close overlying relation to the upper or shoulder portions of the garments in the container, as shown in FiG. 3. In the present example, panel 77 extends toward back wall 19, and has its upstanding panel 83 in substantially parallel contacting relation to the back wall, with the lip 82 thereof underlying the back wall top iiap 43 in its hinge region. As so located, the lip S2 and fiap 43 in open position are secured together, at the right and left hand side of the flap 43 preferably by stapling, one such siaple connection being indieated at 84 in FIG. 3. This is done while the flap 43 and the lip 82 are folded to a Vertical position.

i-laving secured the back side of the insert, the other panel 76 thereof is sirnilarly related to the garment shoulder pc-rtions and the top of the panel 78 is stapled to the top of the lip 21. Then upon displacement of the container door from its full open position (attained in the manner hereinbefore indicated) and unfolding its panels 53 and 54 to a co-planar relation against the flange door stop 21 and closing the container opening 60, the insert panel 78 is manipulated to lie fiat against the upper door panel 54 and to have its lip 81 underlying the hinge zone of door top flap 42. Whereupon the lip and flap are secured together by stapling, including the staple S5. It is to be observed that the insert when so stapled to the door facilitates retaining the door in closed position particularly prior to closure of the door fiap and its securement in closed position.

As hereinbefore noted, the top edge 65 of hanger bar 64 has a predetermined Spacing below the plane of the container side wall top edges 61. Such spacing is determined with regard to the thickness or gauge of the hanger hook ends 69 and the thickness of the fiberboard insert in its central section 73, such that when the insert is in place as hereinabove described, the top surface or edge 74 of the insert central section 73 will lie substantially in the aforesaid plane of the top edges 61. Upon inturning of the top flaps 42 and 43 to close the upper end of the container (FIG. 3), such flaps may be brought into marginal seating on the side wall top edges 61, the top surfaces of the hanger bar brackets 7 il and the top surface 74.

The top fiaps thus closed, are retained in closed condition and sealed along their adjoining margins on insert edge 74, as by a strip 86 of suitable attachment and sealing tape, shown in part in FIG. 4. Although not here shown, it will be appreciated, nevertheless, that strips of such tape may be applied over the margins of the closed door adjoining the container side walls, and similarly along the -side wall engaging margins of the top fiaps, as to Seal the container against entrance of dust and dirt.

As so completed, the garment packed container then is ready for shipment or storage. In handling the container, particularly in the course of shipment, it is to be observed that the insert 72 through its panels 76 and 77 closely along the garment shoulder portions, will effectively substantially prevent dislocation of gannents from their hangers or displacements of the hangers, thereby minimizing creasing or wrinkling of the garments. The insert 72 also holds the flaps 44 and 45 in their Vertical positions whereby these flaps tend to reenforce the upper portions of the side walls 18 and 29.

When it is desired to open the container for access to the garments therein, as to remove any l,or all thereof, the sealing tapes 86 are removed, -and the top flaps 42 and 43 swung to open positions. Whereupon the insert 72 is disconnected from the door fiap 42, as by removing the staples 85, and lifted out of the way or the insert may be entirely removed by disconnecting it from the back wall top flap 43). The door panels 53 and 54 with door fia'p 42, then are folded to any desired part-open position or to full-open position (attained as hereinbefore described), thereby to expose the opening 69 and afr'ord access therethrough to the garments in the container.

The container in empty condition may be readily collapsed to a substantially flat folded condition, as for storage when not in use. To permit collapse thereof, it is necessary to remove both the hanger bar unit 62 and the insert 72. Removal of the bar unit 62 is readily accomplished, merely by lifting thereof to disengage the brackets 79 from the side Walls. The bar and insert units then may be retained with the collapsed container in storage, ready for reapplication to the container when reformed for use.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate, respectively, a iiberboard blank embodying a modification over the blank of FIG. 1, vand the container formed from the modified blank. In both these figures, parts thereof corresponding to the same parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, will bear the same reference characters but differentiated by primes.

Referring first to FIG. 6, the fiberboard blank is scored along longitudinal and parallel score lines 10' and 11', and along transverse parallel score lines 14', 15' and 16' between and intersecting score lines 10' and 11', thereby defining container side wall 18', back wall 19', opposite side wall 2G' yand flange 21'. Also, it has its opposite longitudinal margins cut as before, to define bottom flaps 32', 33', 34' and 35' and top flaps 42', 43', 44' and 45'. The present modification appears in the left end region of the blank between score lines 10' and 11', as viewed in the ligure. In that 'region it has the trans- Verse scoring along score line 26' intersecting score line 11', which here terminates at the inner terminal end 93 of a longitudinal cut or recess 91 parallel to score line 1'1' and open at the left margin 92 of the blank. Additional scoring is provided along a transverse score line 94 in alignrnent with score line 26' and extending from the end of cut 91, to intersection with the longitudinal score line 10'. Such cut and scoring thus define in the left region of the blank, distinct sill and door panels 95 and 96, respectively. As indicated, the door panel includes 'the top flap 42'.

The container as shown in FIG. 7, is folded out of the blank of FIG. 6, and differs from vthe container of FlG. 2 only in its front door and sill portions. As before, the sill 95 is secured to the side wall flange 21' by staples 58', thereby afiording a threshold for the conftainer front opening 60'. The door 96 separated from sill 95 by the cut 91 (FIG. 6), and hingedly integral with side wall 18' over score line 94, therefore is swingable about a Vertical axis to any desired open position, as to the indicated open position which affords unrestricted access to the container through front opening 60'. When in closed position, the door 96 Will be substantially coplanar with the sill panel 95, and have its free Vertical margin 98' in abutment with fiange 21'.

In use, the container has the hanger bar unit 62' applied thereto, and wiil include in the garment packed condition thereof, `a garment retainer insert such as the insert unit 72 of FlG. 5, placed in the container and secured to the top fiaps 42' and 43' as heretofore descri'oed in connection With the embodiment of FIG. 2. Apart from the door modification, then, the container of FIG. 7 is like that of FEG. 2, and is closed and sealed in like manner, with the addition of a sealing tape strip applied over and valong the separation gap between the sill 95 and door 96.

Having now described and illustrated presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it Will be apparent to those skilled in the art vthat various changes and modifications in structure and arrangement of parts may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. i

What is clairned is:

1. In a container for a plurality of garments supported on hangers having hook ends, the combination of va container body foldable out of a single pre-cut and scored fiberboard blank, providing front, back and opposite side Walls each having top and bottom fiaps, the bottom flaps of the walls being folded to form the bottom closure of the body, said front Wall having a lower portion.

between the side walls and defining therewith a front opening affording access to the body interior, the front Wall further having an upper portion constituting a door, movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said front wali top flap being on said door, the top flap of each side wall being inturned thereagainst forming a double thickness side Wall top portion having a re-ctilinear top edge, a hanger support member between the body side walls and having a rectilinear top edge engageable by the hook ends of garment hangers, means at the ends of said member engaging said side wall top portions and supporting the member thereon with its .top edge spaced a predetermined distance inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, and -a garment retainer insert member formed of fiberboard and adapted for insertion to mounted position in said body with a portion of the member overlying the top edge of said hanger member and engaging garment hook ends thereon, said predetermined spacing distance of the hanger member top edge from the plane of the side wall top edges lbeing such as to locate said insert member portion to have its outer surface substantially in said plane, the insert member providing wall means which in mounted position of the insert member in the container body, extend relatively closely over hanger supported garments therein, and upwardly along said container back wall and said door in closed position in substantially parallel contacting relation with each, said insert member wall means termination in lips provided for securement to the top fiaps of said back wall and door, and the top ilaps of said back Wall and door having said lips secured thercto, being foldable against said top edges of the side walls and against said outer surface of said insert member portion, to form the top closure of the container body.

2. in a container for a plurality of garments supported on hangers, the combination of a container body foldable out of a single pre-cut and scored fiberboard blank, providingI front, back and opposite side walls each having top and bottom fiaps, the bottom fiaps of the walls being folded to form the bottom closure of the body, said front Wall having a lower portion between the side walls and defining therewith a front opening aifording access to the body interior, the front Wall further having an upper portion constituting a door, movable to and from a closed position relative to said front opening, said ront wall top fiap being on said door, the top flap of each side Wall being inturned thereagainst forming a double thickness side wall top portion having a rectilinear top edge, a hanger support member between the body side Walls, means at the ends of said member engaging said side wall top portions and supporting the member thereon with its top edge spaced a predetermined distance inwardly of the body from the plane of the side wall top edges, and a garment retainer insert member formed of fiber board and adapted for insertion to mounted position in said body with a portion of the member overlying the top edge of said hanger member and engaging garment hook ends thereon, said predctermined spacing distance of the hanger member top edge from the plane of the side wall top edges 'being such as to locate said insert member portion to have its outer surface substantially in said plane, the insert member providing wall means which in mounted position of the insert member in the container body, extend relatively closely over hanger supported garments therein, and upwardly along said container back Wall and said door in closed position in substantially parallel contacting relation with each, and the top fiaps of said back Wall and door being foldable against said top edges of the side Walls to form the top closure of the container body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,648,480 Belsinger Aug. ll, 1953 2,752,032 Fish June 26, 1956 2,807,354 Belsinger Sept. 24, 1957 2,902,144 Huehns Sept. 1, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 538,441 Canada Mar. 19, 1957 

